Summary
The estimated annual soil turnover by the ant community of anAtriplex vesicaria dominated shrub steppe in south-eastern Australia was 350–420 kg/ha/yr. Plant and animal material was brought to the nests by the ants and mixed with excavated soil, resulting in an increase in carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in the surface soil about the nest site. These increases were similar to those found to occur as a result of litter deposition under perennial shrubs, and it is suggested that the ant community could contribute to the pattern of nutrient concentrations known in saltbush dominated vegetation.
Resume
La quantité de sol remanié par l'ensemble des espèces de fourmis peuplant une steppe buissonnante dominée parAtriplex vesicaria dans le sud-est australien est estimé à 350–420 kg/ha/an. Le matériel animal et végétal rapporté au nid par les insectes est mélangé avec du sol excavé, provoquant ainsi une augmentation locale des teneurs en Carbone, Azote et Phosphore de la surface de celui-ci à l'emplacement du nid. Les augmentations de teneurs ainsi réalisées semblent du même ordre de grandeur que celles résultant du dépôt de litière sous les buissons pérennes. Ceci suggère que les diverses espèces de fourmis peuvent contribuer à distribuer les éléments nutritifs selon le type connu dans ces milieux salés à végétation buissonnante.
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Briese, D.T. The effect of ants on the soil of a semi-arid saltbush habitat. Ins. Soc 29, 375–382 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02228765
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02228765